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Previous Next Up Topic WATCHES / ROLEX Forum / Submariner vs Explorer II (Black dial) (3823 hits)
- By olean28 Date 2003-08-24 19:11
Hello all, I have just bought my first Rolex - a new Explorer II (black dial). I found it hard to decide between the steel sub and the explorer. Ultimately i opted for the explorer as its more original and less bulky. I am now wondering if I made the right choice?
Any thoughts? Your input would be appreciated. Many thanks
Parent - By branko Date 2003-08-24 19:35
I had the same predicament and I suppose it's down to personal taste.  In the UK the Sub Date SS is harder to get hold of than the GMT so I went for it!  Both are lovely watches - just now can't decide what my next one will be.
Parent - By JJ Irani Date 2003-08-24 20:27
Olean, the "Flasher" is gonna simply love you for this one!  :-)
Wear a Rolex and feel the difference!!
Parent - By pandrew Date 2003-08-24 22:57
What does an Exp II look like?
Anyone have a picture of one they could post?
Parent - By johnnycanuck Date 2003-08-25 01:26
Like this...

Parent By JJ Irani Date 2003-08-25 01:31
Hey Olean, that's the guy I warned you about - the "Flasher"!  :-)
Wear a Rolex and feel the difference!!
Parent By pandrew Date 2003-08-25 02:12
JC
A little slow tonight.
6 hours passed before you posted a picture, everything ok up there?
Roni
Parent - By Ayjay (Forum Administrator) Date 2003-08-24 23:46
Olean28,

"i opted for the explorer as its more original".

What do you mean by that?  The Submariner is much more "original" than an EXII.
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather did......not screaming & shouting like his passengers.
Parent - By AggieD90 Date 2003-08-25 00:30
"  "i opted for the explorer as its more original".

What do you mean by that?  The Submariner is much more "original" than an EXII.  "

My thoughts exactly,
Kevin C
"A gentleman does not motor about after dark." - Joseph Lucas
Parent - By olean28 Date 2003-08-25 01:46
By "more original" I meant that everyone I know who owns a rolex owns the black stainless steel Sub. No doubt its a superb watch, but seems to be so many of them around, and I think its important a watch is 'unique'

Whats more I have spoken to some people in the know (friends in fashion) and they said the explorer is a much more classy watch with a suit. The submariner is a beach watch.

Thanks
Parent - By Shane Date 2003-08-25 14:33
Olean

"Whats more I have spoken to some people in the know (friends in fashion) and they said the explorer is a much more classy watch with a suit. The submariner is a beach watch"

I have to disagree with your friends.  They have obviously not seen Sean Connery wear a Submariner in 'Goldfinger' and 'From Russia With Love' - with a suit, and seen how good it looks.  It's not just a beach watch, it's completely versatile and can be worn with anything.  In fact, IMO, any Rolex professional model can be worn with a suit and still look good.  I used to have an Explorer II and yes, it did look great with a suit, but I also had a SeaDweller and that also looked the business.  At the end of the day, it's which watch you really love - don't be influenced by your friends.
Parent By Brad Date 2003-08-26 09:16
Shane,

IMHO, the watch looked out of place and tacky with a suit back then, and still does today.
It's a divers watch:)

Of course, if you were a professional diver and owned no other watch, then there would certainly be a strong case for wearing it with a suit. (no pun intended)

However, if you were faced with a situation, where you were go to your collection and ask yourself which watch will i wear with my best suit tonight. Then the chances are, the sub would be passed over for something else.
Unless there was nothing else in you collection other than Diver's watches, with the Rolex at the top of the pecking order.

Kind Regards,

Brad
Parent By ganz196 Date 2003-08-25 00:42
> "i opted for the explorer as its more original".
> What do you mean by that?  The Submariner is much more "original" than an EXII.

I suppose he means that the look of the Explorer II is different than the typical rotating bezel models like the Submariner and GMTs, which have been around for so many years and in a sense identify the Rolex classical sport models. It is certainly more unusual.

Besides that, remember that "the grass is greener on the other side". If you buy a white dial Daytona you may wonder after a while if the black dial would have been a better choice, and vice versa. Keep your black Explorer II and be happy. It's a fantastic watch and you will not regret it!

CIAO
Stefano
Parent - By Theo Date 2003-08-25 02:42
Well Done! It is a beautiful watch....enjoy it ;-)
Parent - By achille Date 2003-08-25 03:48
sub is the watch...............
Parent - By bentleyboy Date 2003-08-25 07:44
SD is the real deal.
"Ones good two is Better" my dad
Parent By Theo Date 2003-08-25 08:02
Explorer (not Canucksters' the real one!) is the One ;-)
Parent By rolexfiend Date 2003-08-25 15:56
Eric, don't forget to post your story about the SD incident in Monterey ...
"No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings."--William Blake
Parent By Mr Mayfair Date 2003-08-25 10:32
Welcome to the club.
I know just how you feel, I took three days to choose between the Exp II White Dial the Sub Date and the GMT. In the end I felt that the Sub actually looked better with business attire! Although I cannot swim! The bezel is most useful for timing things, its such a robust watch and so hard to get hold of new at list in the UK. Having said that you got a great watch and I dont think its possible to make a wrong choice between Rolexes, only other brands!!, except perhaps the "beach" and "bling" models - yuck.
Parent - By harb (Moderator) Date 2003-08-25 13:31
What exactly is "the right choice" and how is anyone here supposed to help you with that?

And as for those friends of yours in the fashion business - suggesting that you wear a sports watch with a suit? Surely you're kidding, right?
Parent By olean28 Date 2003-08-25 15:39
You are right! horses for courses....

Re watch with a suit - I said the Expl II is better with a suit than the Sub - not the best!
Previous Next Up Topic WATCHES / ROLEX Forum / Submariner vs Explorer II (Black dial) (3823 hits)